Welcome to a new year of Band at
There is a lot of hard work and dedication
that goes into forming a top notch symphonic and marching band. This is not a
past time for the lazy. The marching band is a great way to create life long
skills for your future. Leadership, friendship, respect, musicianship,
discipline, responsibility, and understanding, are just a few of the many
qualities possessed by great musicians/citizens that can be obtained from these
experiences. You have a wonderful opportunity to create something great; it
will be in your hands to make this a success.
You have been blessed with the gift of music and given an opportunity to
display high standards of citizenship. Set high goals for yourself and the band
and you will reach them with some hard work. Take pride in yourself and the
Narrows High School Band.
Alongside great students are great parents. The parents have an
important role in the musician’s life. The parents need to be supportive
through any of their child’s programs while in school, especially in band.
Since there are so many “after school” events it is also a lot of work for the
parents. Below is a list of some helpful hints to help your student progress as
a musician.
1. Obtain a good working instrument for
your son or daughter to perform on. It does not always have to be the newest or
shiniest. If you need help, come see the director, and he will be more than
happy to check out instruments before you put the money into them.
2. Creating a space and time for the
student to practice at home. A place the student will not get interrupted with
any distractions, a quiet place for both the student and you.
3. Be supportive. Try and make it to as
many performances as possible.
4. Encourage them to continue on with
their performing whether it is at the high school level or even further. Also
encourage them to practice.
5.
Manage
time wisely. Too many activities without
proper time management/planning can become burdensome on the student and
you. Encourage your band student to plan
ahead for future activities.
It is the students RESPONSIBILITY to establish a regular practice schedule outside of band class. The student should practice a minimum of one half hour every day through the week. If the student does not keep this practice schedule then extra practices for the entire band will be held. We will waste too much time if the students are unprepared.
Procedure For Parents
Picking Up Their Child After An Event
1. Students will be
allowed to ride home from certain events with their parents as long as the
director is notified in advance.
2. Students must turn
in a note before we leave the school. The director will not accept notes after
the group departs from the school.
3. This note must have
the date, the event, it must state that the student is riding home with the
parent(s), and a signature from the parent(s).
4. The note should be
given directly to the director, who will check the note, mark the chaperone
list accordingly, and will be available after the event for the parent(s) to
sign them out.
5. The student may not
leave until all responsibilities to the band are completed. They must take
their instrument, uniform and all other accessories home with them and have
them returned the next school day.
The following is a tentative list of all performances
that the full band will be required to attend. It is the student’s
responsibility to attend every performance and have all equipment/accessories
ready and in working order. If there is ever a conflict between a performance
and any school organized event make sure all parties are informed well in
advance and we will figure out an arrangement. It is the student’s
responsibility to inform all parties well in advance. One day is not enough
notice.
Marching
Band Performances
Football
Games:
The Band will perform at all home games, unless other
notice is given, and two or three away varsity home football games that the
students will be required to attend. There may also be a need for the band to
perform and add extra enthusiasm/motivation for their football team at
postseason games. These will be announced as soon as possible. There will be a
posting of the selected football games in the band room with times to be at
designated areas.
Parades:
There
will also be four parades the marching band will be required to attend. They
include:
Homecoming
Parade
Rich Creek Christmas Parade
Memorial
Day Parade
Dates,
times, and locations will be posted in the band room.
Symphonic
Performances
There will be a minimum of four symphonic band
performances every school year. These will include a Christmas concert, spring
concert, and performance of both concerts at Narrows Elementary/Middle School.
All performances are a final culmination of all the students’ hard work and
dedication and will be their moment of shining for family, friends, and the
community. With that said, the group cannot perform up to expectations if the
entire band is not there. If a student misses a performance unexcused it will
greatly hinder their grade.
Performance Behavior
The
following rules apply to all performances.
1. All school rules and policies apply to every school
sponsored activity. This also includes band trips.
2. Directions given by the Band Director, Drum Major,
or Chaperones should be strictly followed.
3. During a band activity every member will
participate together, stay with the entire group at all times and be in their
respective assigned areas.
4. Mature social behavior is expected from all members
at all times.
5. School policies pertaining to drugs and alcohol
will be in effect for every band event.
Performance
Attire:
Proper
attire will be worn for each designated performance.
Marching Band:
The student must have the entire uniform and be dressed properly as designated
by the director in order to have the opportunity to march with the rest of the
band. If the student is missing part of the uniform or is not dressed properly
they will perform the show on the sideline and stand still while the rest of
the band performs the marching band show. During the football game the band
will stay in uniform during the entire game, unless otherwise stated by the
Director. Every moment the individual is
still representing the Narrows High School Band and should act and dress
accordingly. In case of severe weather such as extreme heat or rain, the
Director will take the appropriate actions.
Symphonic Band:
The dress code for Symphonic Band is as follows. The men will dress in black
dress pants, black dress shoes, dark socks, a dark colored tie and white long
sleeve dress shirt. The ladies will dress in a long black skirt that reaches
below the knees, or a pair of black slacks, and a white blouse. If any of these
are not followed the student will not perform in the concert and their grade
will be changed accordingly.
Attendance at all practices and performances is
required to stay in the band. It is the student’s responsibility to attend all
outside practices. It is imperative that all musicians make it to all practices
so they can hear the full ensemble. Music is learned easier this way. More
practices may be called upon if the students are not making sufficient
progress. The director will let the students know well in advance of these
dates and times. It is the student’s responsibility to inform their parents of
these certain changes. If a student misses a performance it will greatly affect
their grade. An unexcused absence will result in a lowering of the band grade one
full letter grade. For example if the student has an unexcused absence from a
performance and they were carrying a B average, then they will end up with a C
average for the grading period. One missed rehearsal will result in the
lowering of half a letter grade. Excused absences will include sudden family
emergencies or sudden illnesses accompanied by a doctor’s note. Below is a
chart showing the highest possible grades after missing rehearsals or
performances unexcused.
Missed: Rehearsals: Performances:
1 94
89
2 89
79
3 84
69
4 79
59
Band Camp
will be held the last full week of July. The practices will run from 9 AM until 3:30 PM. There will be an hour
break to eat, but the students will not be allowed to leave the school
premises. It will be the student’s responsibility to bring his or her own
individual meal, and the Band Boosters will supply drinks throughout the day.
The schedule will include practicing music in the afternoons and learning drill
formations in the morning. This is to keep the students out of the sun as much
as possible. There may be some days however where this will not be the case and
the students will be out in the afternoon sun. Everyday the students should come prepared with sunscreen, water,
hats, comfortable appropriate clothing, and comfortable old tennis shoes, not
sandals. This is a physical activity where the students will be
marching a decent amount of time and possibly running. It is in the student’s
best interest to obtain comfortable tennis shoes. This will be an intensive
week of practice. The amount of work accomplished in this practice time
There will be a spring band trip every year. Whether
it will be a small or large trip the rules will stay the same. There will be
multiple fundraisers for the student to raise enough money to participate in
these trips. If a student misses a performance for an unexcused reason, or has
any debts to the band, he or she will not be allowed to participate in the
trip. Following are rules that will apply to every trip.
1. The student is a
representative of this band, school, and our community, it will be expected
that all students act as responsible, respectful, and courteous young adults.
2. At no time will
there be an acceptable reason for entering the room of the opposite sex, before
or after curfew.
3. Curfew times will be
posted and followed. The student is expected to be in their room before the
curfew time and stay there until the designated time with the door locked.
4. Students will stay
in groups of four or more at all times, unless otherwise agreed upon by the
Director.
5. Do not congregate in
the hotel rooms; use the hotel lobby for a meeting place.
6. Any extra charges
such as damages, long distance phone calls, or movies will be assessed to the
students in that room. The school and band will not be responsible for these
extra charges. Be responsible and take care of the hotel room.
7. Only band students
and band parents will be allowed on these trips. No friends, boyfriends,
girlfriends, or other acquaintances.
8. All band students
are required to participate or be present at every activity and will not be
allowed to leave with anyone including family for any reason.
9. No Public displays
of affection.
10. All school rules
and policies are in effect for every minute of the band trips, including drugs
and alcohol. If for any reason a student decides to break a school policy then
he or she will be dealt with accordingly. For minor offenses the student will
be assigned to a band parent for the remainder of the trip. For other major
offenses the band student will be dismissed and it will be the parents’
responsibility to come get them. For all offenses the student will have to meet
with school administration when they get back to school. The band director has
no control over illegal activities. If the police are involved it is in their
hands and the parents must come and handle the situation themselves.
11. Lastly, do not put
yourself in any situation you can’t explain, or I cannot help you.
Hotel
Rules:
1. At no time will
there be anyone of the opposite sex in your room.
2. Be prepared for
curfew/quiet time. Everyone should be quiet with lights out.
3. The student will
only be allowed on their floor or the lobby area. There is no reason to be
anywhere else.
4. Any damages or extra
charges are the student’s responsibility.
5. Do not take what is
not yours, including towels, soap, etc.
6. If the Band Director
or chaperones are called by the manager for excessive noise at any time, those
students will be assigned to a chaperone for the rest of the trip, including
night time.
7. No excessive noise,
no playing instruments in the hotel, no throwing objects out windows or over
balconies.
8. There will be
someone on duty at all times, Band Director, chaperones, and or security
personnel.
9. Use the telephones
properly; the student is responsible for any extra charges.
10. Be responsible of
all your belongings and room key. Keep the door locked at all times and do not
let strangers or anyone who is not in our group in your room.
11. Do not use the pool
unless the band director schedules a time for its use.
Bus
Rules:
These
rules apply every time the band travels to football games, band competitions,
and spring trips.
1. No sharing of blankets with the opposite sex.
2. Always sit facing forward, no feet or knees in the
seats.
3. No gum or trash on the floor, there will be a trash
bag on the bus, use it.
4. No throwing objects.
5. All hands and feet in the bus at all times.
6. No glass containers.
7. All CD players, tape players, and radios must be
used with headphones and be able to fit in the palm of your hand.
8. Let the bus driver concentrate and do his/her job.
All
of the rules above are for the safety and well being of the students.
Grading will be based on rehearsals, performances,
evidence of preparation for all events, quizzes, playing tests, and classroom
participation. Classroom participation includes enthusiasm, effort, leadership,
preparation, responsibility, and all the things that go into a great musician.
If the student forgets instruments or accessories the grade will suffer. Being
on time and prepared is imperative. If any of those occur the grade will also
suffer. All performances are graded including, concerts, football games,
marching competitions, and parades. Also, the classroom rules listed below must
be followed all the time, even at performances. These weigh heavy on your
grade.
1. Be prepared.
The student is expected to have everything they need
for an entire rehearsal or performance with them. This includes the entire
uniform, instrument, and all accessories for performances. As well as
instruments, music, pencils, and all other accessories for rehearsals. If the
student is not prepared the grade will be affected. Stay prepared everyday by
practicing at home and building a substantial vocabulary and knowledge of
music. Also be prepared to have the proper mindset to work and stay
concentrated on the task at hand.
2. Be responsible.
The students need to be responsible for themselves and
their actions; the Band Director is not a babysitter. Be on time and take care
of all your possessions. The band room, instrument storage, and uniform storage
rooms are clean and will stay that way. Put everything back where you got it.
3. Be respectful
Act like the young adults you are and treat everyone as
you would want to be treated. There will be many people coming in and out of
the band room including teachers, other music teachers, marching band staff,
and administration. Treat each and every one of them with respect. Be
respectful to your instruments as well as music. The student will be assessed a
fine to any damaged or lost school property, including music, instruments, and
uniforms.
4. No food, drinks, or gum in the band room.
The
only food and drinks allowed in the band room will be brought in by either the
band director or band boosters.
Great
musicians are prepared, responsible, and respectful, and they don’t eat, drink,
or chew gum right before or while they perform.
Each individual student has certain financial
responsibilities. Band is an expensive past time. The school and band boosters
help out tremendously but cannot cover all the costs. Therefore, there is a $10
fee to participate in the band each year. This fee must be paid before the end
of the first six weeks. This fee helps reduce the costs of dry cleaning the
uniforms, marching band staff, food and drinks for miscellaneous events, and
all the other many things that go into being a high school band. The students
will also be responsible for paying for their marching band shoes and gloves.
They will be purchased through the band and school. Everyone must have the same
shoes and gloves. Every student is responsible for any damages that incur to
their instrument whether it is school owned or not. They will be responsible
for all accessories including reeds, cork greases, valve oil, slide creams, and
percussion
mallets. The band uniforms will be dry cleaned once a
year. If they need more than that it will be the students’ responsibility to do
so. The reasons for this are listed below under the uniform section. There will
be fees for lost or damaged music. 25 cents for each copied music and the
dealer cost for any original music lost or damaged. If the band fee is not paid
by the end of the first six weeks, the student will not be able to participate
in the spring band trip.
Uniforms will stay at the school in the uniform
storage room. Before a performance the students will come get their uniforms
and then after the performance the students will bring the entire uniform back,
hung properly and in the same shape they received it in. Band parents will be
at the door of the uniform storage room to make sure all uniforms are hung
properly. The band parents are there to check the uniforms, not to hang them up
for you. There will be no eating or drinking while in uniform in the stands. If
the uniforms are taken care of they will only need to be dry cleaned once a
year. If the student breaks a uniform rule and they need to be dry cleaned more
than once a year then the student is responsible for that.
There will be certain requirements and a selection
process for each position in the band every year. This includes drum majors,
sections leaders, guard captain, president, vice president, secretary, and
historian. These positions mentioned are to be held by the most respectful,
responsible, and most prepared individuals in the band. The following is a list
of requirements and a list showing the selection process for each above named.
Drum Major and Guard
Captain:
This position is about leadership first and foremost.
The drum major is responsible for leading the band while in marching band. They
are to act as an assistant director. They are expected to be at every practice
during the summer and school year.
Requirements:
1. A cumulative high school grade average of at least
a B
2. A
cumulative high school band grade of an A.
3.
Participate in the marching band at least two years prior.
4. A strong musical background.
5. Leadership skills
Selection
Process:
1.
Music theory test.
2.
Conducting test.
3. A
ten-minute interview to show leadership and morals.
Band President and Vice
President:
The band president and vice president will act as a
link between the director and the band as a whole. That person will be the
“voice” of the band. He/she will also be a leader and set the standards for the
rest of the band. Another responsibility will be to communicate with the
community and administration about the band’s progress. This is a student
elected office.
Requirements:
1.
Must be in band all four years of high school and be a senior.
2.
Respectful, responsible, and prepared.
Selection
Process:
Nominees voted by the band will be taken during class,
which the director will make sure all pass the above stated requirements. A
final list will be given to the band and the band will take a vote. The
runner-up will be named vice president.
Secretary and Historian:
The Secretary and Historian’s purpose is to promote
the band through the press, and keep records for the history of the Narrows
High School Band. Write articles and submit them to the local paper about up
coming events the band or band members will be participating in. Keep a record
of all events everyone in the band attends and notate band accomplishments as
well as individual accomplishments.
Requirements:
1.
Must be in high school band at least three years.
2.
Respectful, responsible, and prepared.
Selection
Process:
Same
as above for President.
Section Leaders and
Assistant Section Leaders:
Section leaders and Assistant Section Leaders will be
a culmination of the best musicians and leaders. It is not always the
first-chair person that is section leader. These will be nominated by the
section and approved and tested by the director. A test of both musical and
leadership skills will be evaluated.
The following awards are given to the most deserving
of those outstanding band members every year. These awards include and are not
limited to Most Valuable Senior, lettering, and pinning, as well as other too
be named later. The guidelines for each are listed below.
Letter:
1. Must be an active participant in the high school
band for seven years.
Pin:
1. Already obtain a letter.
2. Must be an active participant in the high school
band.
3. Must audition for District as well as one Honors
Band that year.
4. Maintain an overall average A for that year.
Most
Valuable Senior:
The Most Valuable Senior award is one of the most
coveted high school band awards. The student has to show not only wonderful
playing ability but also must be one of the highest leaders in the band.
Responsible, respectful, and prepared are three words that describe this
individual well. In other words this is the best overall musician/person award.
The selection process involves the students voting for whoever they deem worthy.
John
Philip Sousa Award:
The other is the John Philip Sousa award, which is a
nationally given award. It is awarded
based off of both outstanding dedication and superior musicianship, and is a
great honor to receive. This award is
open to any member of the band, from Eighth Grade to Seniors. The selection process involves both the
students and the director, with students nominating individuals and the
director choosing the winner. It is
possible for a Senior to win both awards
The
Jazz Band will be an extra curricular activity at Narrows High School. Almost
all practices will be held either before or after school. The ensemble will start
at the beginning of the school year, and will run all year long, participating
in all Symphonic Band concerts. In addition to this, the ensemble may play at
other local functions. Anyone interested in performing in this group does not
have to be a member of the Symphonic Band, but must audition with Mr. Maddy.
All other rules in this packet apply to the Jazz Band.
All
Students are encouraged to audition for All-District Band. The audition is
usually the second Saturday in December. The students will need to ask the
director for audition requirements. This is a great opportunity to perform with
the best musicians in the district.
Again
all the students are encouraged to sign up for the Virginia Tech Band. It
includes the best musicians from several states and is a great learning
experience for everyone.